title: Preventive medicine success: thymoma removal in an African spot-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis).
abstract: During a preventive medicine examination on a 13-yr-old intact female African spot-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis), radiographs were obtained and a cranial thoracic mass was noted. Cytology from an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirate was suggestive of a thymoma. Surgical removal was performed and this diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. At a recheck examination 6 mo postsurgery, there was no evidence of recurrence. This case highlights the value of a comprehensive preventive medicine program that resulted in the early detection of a subclinical thymoma and its successful removal.
authors.affiliation: San Diego Zoo, 1354 Old Globe Way, San Diego, California 92101, USA. gpye@sandiegozoo.org
authors.forename: Geoffrey W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Pye
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Rideout
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D010041:Otters; D011859:Radiography; D013945:Thymoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*